Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded a contract to construct a 100-metre quay wall and carry out paving works at Thilafushi Port in efforts to expand cargo handling operations at the facility.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) headquarters, with MPL Chief Executive Officer Captain Hussain Shafeeq signing on behalf of the company and MTCC Managing Director DCP (Retd.) Ahmed Saudhee signing on behalf of MTCC.

The project includes the development of a 100-metre quay wall and 6,775 square metres of concrete paving. The infrastructure is being developed to support cargo clearance operations at Thilafushi Port.

MPL stated that a large portion of cargo clearance operations currently carried out at Malé Commercial Harbour and the Hulhumalé International Terminal will be relocated to the area once the facility becomes operational. The area is also expected to serve as a service quay for MPL vehicles following the completion of the wider Thilafushi Port development project.

The quay wall and paving works have been awarded to MTCC for MVR 18 million and are scheduled to be completed within 120 days. The overall Thilafushi Port development project carries an estimated cost of MVR 154 million.

MPL said work on the international port being developed in Thilafushi is progressing steadily, with the aim of commencing operations by November 2027 and relocating the activities of Malé Commercial Harbour to the new facility. The first phase of the project, including design and survey works, was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company in February 2020 and is nearing completion.